Do you remember when we only called places—homes, offices, or wherever the phone was physically attached?

That all changed with McCaw Cellular Communications. The unique culture of this groundbreaking company fueled and ultimately fulfilled its founder’s vision of a world where communications happened between people and not places.

From nearly 100 interviews with former McCaw and AT&T executives, competitors, news reporters and industry experts, the “People. Not places. Podcast Series” was born.

01

Gratify some and astonish the rest

How did McCaw consistently foster some of the best talent in the wireless industry? This episode explains how a unique company culture can have a big impact. Featuring interviews with Fred Mercado, Bob Ratliffe, Steve Hooper, Hal Eastman, Dennis O’Connell, Jayne Hart, Peter Currie, Jim Barksdale, Kerry Larson, John Keller, and Dan Hesse.

May 25, 2018

Runtime 38:31

02

Craig throws a dinner roll

One concept appears repeatedly in the McCaw interviews – the idea of “respectful irreverence.” Episode #2 examines what this meant and why it became a linchpin of the McCaw culture. While much has been made about the fun and exuberance that came with irreverently “finding trouble,” we also unpack the critical role of being respectful and what it meant for openness, learning and innovation within the early stages of the wireless industry.

coming soon

03

Who are those guys?

In the iconic movie, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” Paul Newman and Robert Redford are relentlessly pursued by a posse who wouldn’t give up. Butch and Sundance keep asking themselves, “who are these guys?” This scene was a favorite of Craig McCaw as he challenged the company to relentlessly pursue the vision of connecting people, not places. In this episode, we examine how the team at McCaw bought into this vision and pursued the impossible with a confidence that created an industry.

coming soon

04

Dad, can I borrow the company jet?

The enormous wireless opportunity demanded a willingness to take professional and financial gambles. Remarkably, the company consisted primarily of twenty and thirty somethings who were short on experience but long on ambition. Episode 4 explores the big bet placed on young talent and the results that followed.